Our weekly chat with an Ohio State athlete features A.J. Tourigny of the pistol team:

Question: Were you interested in shooting as a young sprout?

Answer: Sure was! The old man had me shooting on his lap when I was 5 years old in the basement of our house. My father and I have spent endless hours together shooting, and he was always by my side in practice and in matches. And my mother, who is a sensitive and gentle person, gave me endless support and was always there for me when I had a rough match.

Q: What I’ve learned about pistol is that there is free pistol, a single-shot .22 caliber shot from 50 meters; standard pistol, a semiautomatic .22 shot from 25 meters in different strings; and air pistol, one shot at a time from 10 meters. Is one of those harder or easier than the others?

A: People have different preferences. Free pistol is typically the hardest to shoot. It’s also always been my favorite. It gives me a challenge, but because most college shooters dislike free pistol, it gives me a slight advantage.

Q: What is a pistol competition like? Is it like bowling, where competitors take turns?

A: Collegiate shooting is similar to Olympic competition. The range officer calls us to the line, and we all shoot at our targets at the same time. If we are shooting paper targets, at the end of the match the opposing team will score our targets and vice versa. .

Q: How much mental energy do you expend in a match?

A: A lot. Usually we shoot all three guns in one day. By the end of the day, on our way to the hotel or back to OSU, the entire team is fast asleep. We may not be a physical sport, but after shooting an entire day, it feels like you ran a marathon.

Q: Do you always wear ear protection?

A: Believe it or not, no. During the .22 events, all shooters must wear ear protection. In air pistol, a shooter does not have to wear ear protection. I normally do, just to drown out the background noise.

Q: Would you have come to Ohio State if the school didn’t have a varsity pistol team?

A: Being from the Northeast and not the biggest fan of football, I had no idea Ohio State existed until a shooter I know from Massachusetts came here to shoot. I know, it’s almost impossible to fathom. But I am proud to be a part of Ohio State, and thankful for all the opportunities the university has given me.

Q: What have you learned about Columbus in your time here?

A: Lots of things. For instance, there are states that actually allow you to buy guns. And you have never been to a football game until you have been to an OSU game. Never ask where the bubbler (water fountain) is unless you want people to look at you like you have 10 heads. It is pop, not soda. And most important, you will never experience the unity, loyalty or camaraderie at any other academic institution like Ohio State.rstein@dispatch.com